Bathurst Giants star Mitch Taylor signs for Riverina club Gamain-Grong Grong-Matong for 2022 season

Taylor has linked with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, the 190 centimetre utility convinced to make the travel commitment to play for the Lions by former Orange Tigers star and current GGGM player Michael Rothnie.

Taylor can play half-back and wing if needed, but will add a big body to the Lions' midfield rotation as they look to build on winning this year's Riverina Football League first grade minor premiership before finals were cancelled.

Taylor, 20, said he was ready to test himself again at a higher level after a couple of years in the four-team Central West competition.

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"I'm looking to play some better level footy and see how far I can make it," he said.

"I had to move back to Bathurst from Canberra for work purposes. It was a good enough level of footy and I was loving it there, I just thought I'd try something different this year.

"One of my mates Michael Rothnie plays for them. I've been talking to him through the off season and he convinced me (to sign)."

While playing in a new league will be a challenge, the travel will probably be bigger.

A round trip from Bathurst to Ganmain, where the Lions play their games, is over seven and a half hours and more then 660 kilometres.

But Taylor isn't fazed by the travel and is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the new league.

"I just can't wait to get down there and have a run around," he said.

"It's something I've been looking to do for a while now but I'll be driving down with one of my mates, Michael Rothnie, who will be playing with them too."

As he won't be able to attend training during the week with the Lions, he'll be looking to train alongside his former Bathurst Giants teammates or with Rothnie at the Orange Tigers in 2022.

When comparing the Riverina and Central West leagues, Taylor said the former edges it in terms of quality.

"It's a lot better quality but you get that once you start to your players down there, it kind of attracts the better players," he said.

"They've got a salary cap. It's a pretty good league, up there with Canberra."

Taylor missed out on winning a flag for his junior club in 2021, the Central West competition brought to an end before finals, with the Giants winning the minor premiership.

"It was a bit disappointing to miss out on it but this opportunity came up to play down in the Riverina, so I took it," he said.

"I didn't want to take it and regret my decision."

Lions coach Sam Martyn sought feedback on Taylor from sources in the capital and received only favourable reviews.

"Mick (Rothnie) gave us some information on him and the contacts I have in Canberra rated him pretty highly," Martyn said.

"He had to go back to Bathurst, but everyone said he improved tenfold in that (Canberra) environment.

"He obviously performed at a very high standard this year and is looking to expand his footy a bit more."

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